Breakable leg

ABSTRACT

A leg for a medical training dummy comprising a metallic simulated leg bone around which is molded an integral skin foam. The leg bone member includes a hinge for simulating a broken leg. Skinning of the foam against the hinge surface is prevented by wrapping the hinge with a relatively soft foam prior to casting. The hinge includes detents for holding the leg in either its broken or unbroken state.

[ July 22, 1975 United States Patent [191 Smrcka 46/163 X 264/DlG, 14 X2 2 6777 9999 H H H H 4 22 5 25 57006 ,29 7782 2524 ,5 2 3333 n m C m ar k m a a w m r b O a N L a h k m c a r e m a s R G G m E h m d E m l LJ A m K m e t A n m n W s B m A 1] 1 4 5 3 5 7 [1 1 Inc., Stamford,Conn.

Oct. 9, 1973 Primary Examiner-Har1and S. Skogquist Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Buckles & Bramblett [22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 404,330

[57] ABSTRACT A leg for a medical training dummy comprising a meping thehinge with a relatively soft foam prior to cast- [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS ing. The hinge includes detents for holding theleg in either its broken or unbroken state.

46/173 2,781,611 2/1957 35/17 X 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SHEETPATENTED UL 2 2 I975 ll lllf Illl-l I BREAKABLE LEG BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention pertains to that class of dummies that areutilized for providing medical or first aid training. Dummies of thistype are widely used for first aid training of personnel such as police,firemen, utility workers, and others. Prior art dummies are relativelycomplex because each requires at least three separate elements, namely askeleton, simulated flesh, and simulated skin. It would also bedesirable to incorporate into such dummies means for simulating a brokenarm or leg. The problem of complexity can be partially overcome by useof a relatively new integral skin flexible foam for the simulated flesh.These foams have a tough urethane polymer skin with a medium to lowdensity foam core obtained from a single pouring operation. The metalmold provides the heat sink required for skin formation. One such foam,FLEXIPOL FSF-l06 is available from Flexible Products Company, Marietta,Georgia. However, if such a foam is used in combination with a metalhinge to simulate a broken limb, problems arise because of the formationof the tough urethane skin on the metal surface of the hinge.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea breakable limb for a training dummy.

Another object is to provide such a limb which also utilizes an integralskin foam.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided a limb for a training dummywhich comprises first and second structural members simulating a bone inthe limb. The structural members are joined by a hinge located at apoint removed from a normal joint location. Simulated flesh envelops thestructural members and has exterior contours resembling a human limb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the lower portion of a training dummywith a portion broken away to illustrate the internal construction;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with a portion broken awayto illustrate the internal construction;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken substantially along the lines33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the leg in its brokenposition; and

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG.3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With particular reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated the lower portion of a trainingdummy incorporating the present invention. A basic metal framework formsthe skeletal portion and is covered with an integral skin foam 12forming both flesh and skin. The framework 10 includes an uprightattachment post 14 which may be secured to a mating torso, a transversehip member 16 which may be welded thereto,

and upper 18 and lower 20 right legmembers. The upper leg member 18 maybe connected to the hip member16-by means of rubber bands and the upperand lower leg members may be connected together at the knee by means ofmasking tape 22. No more permanent construction is required because itis only necessary to hold the members together while in the mold. Aftermolding, the flesh itself serves to support them.

The lower left leg member 24 is similar to that of the right but theupper leg bone differs in order to simulate a break. It includes a flatbar upper member 26 and a flat bar lower member 28. These members areconnected together by means of a hinge H which is illustrated in moredetail in FIGS. 3-5. It comprises a hinge pin formed from a bolt 30 andnut 32. Compressively held between the head of bolt 30 and the member 26is a rubber spring 34. Drilled into the member 26 is a pair of holes 36,38 equally spaced on opposite sides of the bolt 30. Into each hole isinserted a ball bearing 40, 42 which is large enough to protrudeslightly above the inner surface of the upper member 26. Each ball isretained in its respective hole by means of a peen 44, 46. The lowermember 28 is drilled so as to define a pair of conical depressions 48,50 which normally receive the protruding surfaces of the respectiveballs, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This construction serves as a latch ordetent mechanism for normally retaining the leg in its straight positionas illustrated in FIG. 3. However, upon supplying the necessary force tothe hinge, the rubber spring 34 compresses, permitting the member 28with its depressions 48, 50 to be moved out of engagement with theballs. When moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the balls arepositioned against the edges of the lower member 28 and retain it insuch position against the normal resilience of the foam 12. The foam 12is molded with a slot 52 adjacent the hinge which opens as illustratedin FIG. 4 to overcome any impediment to the hinge action by the toughurethane skin.

As previously mentioned, the integral skin foam would also tend to forma skin against the surface of the hinge. This is prevented in thepresent invention by wrapping the hinge prior to molding with a softerencasing foam 54. This may also be a urethane foam but preferably one oflighter density. It may be held in place by rubber bands 56, or anyother suitable means for retaining it in position during the moldingprocess.

It will be noted that the present invention provides a breakable limbfor a training dummy and that the break is detented so that the limbremains in either the straight or broken position against the naturalresiliency of the foam. Furthermore this construction is achievedutilizing an integral skin foam with its advantage of simplerconstruction and reduced number of parts.

It will be understood that a number of variations and modifications maybe made in this invention without departing from its spirit and scope.It will be further apparent that this invention may be applicable forsimulation of breaks in any limb or body member. Accordingly, the wordlimb as used in the following claims shall be construed to include notonly arms and legs, but such other members as fingers and toes. Theforegoing description is to be construed as illustrative only, ratherthan limiting. The invention is limited only by the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A limb for a training dummy which comprises: first and secondstructural members simulating a bone in said limb; a hinge joining saidstructural members at a location where a joint normally does not exist;a nonskinning foam wrapped around said hinge; and integral skin foamsimulated flesh enveloping said structural members, hinge, andnon-skinning foam and having exterior contours resembling a human limb.

2. The limb of claim 1 wherein said simulated flesh defines an externalrecess adjacent said hinge for permitting flexure of said limb at saidhinge.

3. The limb of claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises means for holdingsaid hinge in a broken position and in an unbroken position.

4. The limb of claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a detent.

5. The limb of claim 3 wherein said detent comprises: a ball in saidfirst structural member; and a recess defined by said second structuralmember positioned to receive said ball when said hinge is in an unbrokenposition.

6. The limb of claim 5 wherein said hinge includes means for resilientlyretaining said first and second structural members in hingedrelationship.

7. The limb of claim 6 wherein said hinge comprises: a hinge pin passingthrough said first and second structural members; and a resilient membercompressively held against one of said structural members by said hingepin.

1. A limb for a training dummy which comprises: first and secondstructural members simulating a bone in said limb; a hinge joining saidstructural members at a location where a joint normally does not exist;a non-skinning foam wrapped around said hinge; and integral skin foamsimulated flesh enveloping said structural members, hinge, andnon-skinning foam and having exterior contours resembling a human limb.2. The limb of claim 1 wherein said simulated flesh defines an externalrecess adjacent said hinge for permitting flexure of said limb at saidhinge.
 3. The limb of claim 1 wherein said hinGe comprises means forholding said hinge in a broken position and in an unbroken position. 4.The limb of claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a detent. 5.The limb of claim 3 wherein said detent comprises: a ball in said firststructural member; and a recess defined by said second structural memberpositioned to receive said ball when said hinge is in an unbrokenposition.
 6. The limb of claim 5 wherein said hinge includes means forresiliently retaining said first and second structural members in hingedrelationship.
 7. The limb of claim 6 wherein said hinge comprises: ahinge pin passing through said first and second structural members; anda resilient member compressively held against one of said structuralmembers by said hinge pin.